Progress 09/01/01 to 08/31/06
Outputs
Progress Report 1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Swine production in Mississippi and other Southern states is reduced because it is difficult to identify breeds, lines, or strains of pigs that are prolific and produce pigs that yield a high percentage of lean meat given the environmental conditions (high temperature and humidity, parasite load, etc.) present in the Southern states. In addition, the availability of locally-produced feed grains and the high transportation cost associated with transporting grains from the Midwestern states have limited swine production in the area. The objectives of the research are to (1) evaluate four (4) breeding lines for prolificacy and carcass characteristics and (2) develop feeding systems to obtain efficient biological conversion and minimize feed cost by using local feeds such as rice by-products.
Swine production systems in Mississippi and other Southern states are generally small, limited-resource enterprises. Because of the warm climate, the local economic environment, and the lack of effective technology transfer to this sparsely populated area, introduction of new technology such as new genetic strains of swine, utilization of local feedstuffs, and improved veterinary management is needed to improve swine production in this area of the country. 2. List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) No formal CRIS project plan was written for this project. Following is a list of activities taken from the project prospectus to be undertaken during this project: 1. A physical facility will be developed and an effective breeding and production program will be implemented to provide a basis for conducting swine production research. 2. Lines of swine will be selected to establish maternal and paternal lines that can perform under the environmental
conditions in the Southern United States. 3. A production program will be developed to ensure appropriate levels of fertility and litter size. 4. Nutritional diets for swine at all stages of the life cycle that lead to optimum feed efficiency and rate of growth at lowest cost, utilizing local feeds whenever possible, will be established. 4a List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Influence of Lysine and Chromium Picolinate levels on gestating sows and their progeny Sows were given eight diets, four levels of lysine (75, 100, 125 and 150% of NRC) and two levels of Chromium (o and 500 ppb) over two consecutive parities. Litter birth weights, piglets born alive and litter weaning weight were significantly affected by lysine level, but not by Chromium. However, there was a significant lysine by chromium interaction on piglet birth weight indicating that the effect of lysine was dependent on chromium in the diet. These results indicate that conventional
diets may be inadequate in chromium for full reproductive competence. 4b List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. 13th Annual Field Day, May 20, 2006 The development of a problem-based learning curriculum for teaching swine production and Management is ongoing. This project will provide personnel trained in swine production to support swine production in the Southern Mississippi area. 5. Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. This research is consistent with ARS Strategic Plan Goal #2: Support increased economic opportunities and improved quality of life in rural America and ARS National Program 101: Food Animal Production; Nutrient Intake and Utilization; Nutrient Use and Feed Evaluation; Goal #3; Develop dynamic systems for site-specific feed evaluations and feeding recommendations. Approximately 500 animals of improved genetic quality were sold to limited-resource farmers in Mississippi and Louisiana for use in their
herds. An Animal Genetics Laboratory has been constructed, artificial insemination equipment and supplies purchased, boars have been trained for semen collection, and the first artificially inseminated litters have been born. Producer field days have been held from 1998 to present for area producers. Studies on the effects of the feeding of Purslane, a weed found in the southern states, to swine were completed. Results indicated that Purslane could be used as an alternative feed source for up to 8% of the diet, without affecting most production traits. Interestingly, the one exception to this was that the feeding of purslane decreased serum cholesterol and increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These data suggest that purslane, a locally available forage, could be used to partially replace more expensive feeds without affecting pork production. A study was conducted to determine relationships between body condition score, back fat and loin depth at weaning on the
interval from weaning to subsequent estrus in sows from the Church Hill herd. Low or negative correlations were observed between indicators of body condition and weaning to estrus interval, indicating that increased body condition was associated with shorter weaning to estrus intervals in the Church Hill herd. Use of these measures may allow the identification of sows likely to have prolonged weaning-to-estrus intervals in the southern Mississippi environment, allowing appropriate management interventions to be initiated. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Results of the study on nutritional supplementation could be used to improve swine production by Southern Mississippi farmers. Through the field days, information was transferred to
farmers in the region around Alcorn State on swine husbandry and artificial insemination practices. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Okere, C., Joseph, A., Ezekwe, M. 2005. Seasonal and genotype variations in libido, semen production and quality in Church Hill AI boars. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances. 4(10):885-888. Ezekwe, O.A., WilIams, R.A. 2006. Influence of lysine and chromium picolinate (cr) levels on gestating sows and the progeny. 1890 Land-Grant Universities Association of Research Directors 14th Biennial Research Symposium, Atlanta, GA (pp. 80). April 1-5. Okere, C., Ezekwe, M.O., Carson, A.L., Davis, C. 2006. Effects of parity, backfat, body condition scores, and loin depth on wean-to-estrus intervals in commercial sows. 1890 Land-Grant Universities Association of Research Directors 14th Biennial Research
Symposium, Atlanta, GA (pp.116). April 1-5. Okere, C., Ezekwe, M.O., Joseph, A. 2006. Ejaculate characteristics of artificial insemination boars in southwest Mississippi. 1890 Land-Grant Universities Association of Research Directors 14th Biennial Research Symposium, Atlanta, GA (pp. 236). April 1-5. Patent Disclosure: Ezekwe, M.O., Besong, S.A., Igbokwe, P.E., Ezekwe, E.I. 2004. Feed compositions comprising waterleaf leaves and methods of using thereof. Patent Pending No. 10791310, U.S. Department of Commerce.
Impacts
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Publications
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Swine production in Mississippi and other Southern states is reduced because it is difficult to identify breeds, lines, or strains of pigs that are prolific and produce pigs that yield a high percentage of lean meat given the environmental conditions (high temperature and humidity, parasite load, etc.) present in the Southern states. In addition, the availability of locally-produced feed grains and the high transportation cost associated with transporting grains from the Midwestern states have limited swine production in the area. The objectives of the research are to (1) evaluate four (4) breeding lines for prolificacy and carcass characteristics and (2) develop feeding systems to obtain efficient biological conversion and minimize feed cost by using local feeds such as rice by-products. Swine
production systems in Mississippi and other Southern states are generally small, limited-resource enterprises. Because of the warm climate, the local economic environment, and the lack of effective technology transfer to this sparsely populated area, introduction of new technology such as new genetic strains of swine, utilization of local feedstuffs, and improved veterinary management is needed to improve swine production in this area of the country. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. No formal CRIS project plan was written for this project. Following is a list of activities taken from the project prospectus to be undertaken during this project: 1. A physical facility will be developed and an effective breeding and production program will be implemented to provide a basis for conducting swine production research. 2. Lines of swine will be selected to establish maternal and paternal lines that can perform under the environmental conditions in the
Southern United States. 3. A production program will be developed to ensure appropriate levels of fertility and litter size. 4. Nutritional diets for swine at all stages of the life cycle that lead to optimum feed efficiency and rate of growth at lowest cost, utilizing local feeds whenever possible, will be established. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Because no formal milestones have been established for this project, the following indicates whether the proposed activities indicated above were addressed in the last year. A physical facility will be developed and an effective breeding and production program will be implemented to provide a basis for conducting swine production research. Milestone Fully Met 2. Lines of swine will be selected to establish maternal and paternal lines that can perform under the environmental conditions in the
Southern United States. Milestone Substantially Met 3. A production program will be developed to ensure appropriate levels of fertility and litter size Milestone Substantially Met 4. Nutritional diets for swine at all stages of the life cycle that lead to optimum feed efficiency and rate of growth at lowest cost, utilizing local feeds whenever possible, will be established Milestone Substantially Met 3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? Following are the planned activities for 2006: Management strategies to reduce seasonal anestrus in southwest Mississippi will be developed A problem based learning (PBL) curriculum for teaching swine production and management will be developed with funding recently obtained from a capacity building grant from USDA/CSREES. A benchmark survey of the swine industry in southwest Mississippi will be
conducted Artificial insemination vs. Natural service mating will be compared in the Church Hill Swine herd, to compare the economic advantages/disadvantages of insemination technique to swine production in the region surrounding Alcorn State. Further evaluate the effects of lysine and chromium supplementation on sow productivity. The interrelationships between selected trace elements in seminal plasma, blood serum, and boar semen quality will be determined. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Body Condition and Weaning to Estrus Interval in Swine in Southern Mississippi The use of second and later parity sows for pig production is limited by variation in the time required for sows to return to estrus after weaning of the previous litter. A study was conducted to determine relationships between body condition score, back fat and loin depth at weaning on the interval from weaning to subsequent estrus in sows from the Church Hill herd. Low or negative
correlations were observed between indicators of body condition and weaning to estrus interval, indicating that increased body condition was associated with shorter weaning to estrus intervals in the Church Hill herd. Use of these measures may allow the identification of sows likely to have prolonged weaning-to-estrus intervals in the southern Mississippi environment, allowing appropriate management interventions to be initiated. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. Seasonality of Semen Quality in Boars in Southern Mississippi The effect of season of the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) on libido, ejaculate volume and progressive motility of boar sperm was assessed in one Yorkshire and one Landrace boar. No effects of season of the year were detected for any of the traits measured. The Yorkshire boar demonstrated increased quantity of semen, and improved semen characteristics compared to the Landrace boar. Results of this study will aid in the use of artificial
insemination at the Swine Development Center, and the transfer of this technology to the surrounding community. 4c List any significant activities that support special target populations. 12th annual field day, May 14, 2005 Assisted several individuals in initiating swine production operations in the region 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This research is consistent with ARS Strategic Plan Goal #2: Support increased economic opportunities and improved quality of life in rural America and ARS National Program 101: Food Animal Production; Nutrient Intake and Utilization; Nutrient Use and Feed Evaluation; Goal #3; Develop dynamic systems for site-specific feed evaluations and feeding recommendations. Approximately 500 animals of improved genetic quality were sold to limited-resource farmers in Mississippi and Louisiana for use in their herds. An Animal Genetics Laboratory has been constructed, artificial
insemination equipment and supplies purchased, boars have been trained for semen collection, and the first artificially inseminated litters have been born. Producer field days have been held from 1998 to present for area producers. Studies on the effects of the feeding of Purslane, a weed found in the southern states, to swine were completed. Results indicated that Purslane could be used as an alternative feed source for up to 8% of the diet, without affecting most production traits. Interestingly, the one exception to this was that the feeding of purslane decreased serum cholesterol and increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These data suggest that purslane, a locally available forage, could be used to partially replace more expensive feeds without affecting pork production. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What
are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Results of the study on weaning to estrus intervals could be adapted to allow farmers in the region to predict whether and when sows are likely to return to estrus after weaning. Through the field days, information was transferred to farmers in the region around Alcorn State on swine husbandry and artificial insemination practices. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Okere, C and Ezekwe, MO 2004. Pork Quality Standards: What are they and why do we need them? Swine Development Center Newsletter. 1(3) Summer 2004, 1-4. Ezekwe, MO and Okere, C. 2005. ASU Swine Development Center Research Update-2004-2005. Okere, C., Joseph, A., and Ezekwe, MO. 2005. Seasonal and genotype variations in libido, semen production and quality in Church Hill AI boars.
Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances. 4:(In Press).
Impacts
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Publications
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Swine production in Mississippi and other Southern states is reduced because it is difficult to identify breeds, lines, or strains of pigs that are prolific and produce pigs that yield a high percentage of lean meat given the environmental conditions (high temperature and humidity, parasite load, etc.) present in the Southern states. In addition, the availability of locally-produced feed grains and the high transportation cost associated with transporting grains from the Midwestern states have limited swine production in the area. The objectives of the research are to (1) evaluate four (4) breeding lines for prolificacy and carcass characteristics and (2) develop feeding systems to obtain efficient biological conversion and minimize feed cost by using local feeds such as rice by-products. Swine
production systems in Mississippi and other Southern states are generally small, limited-resource enterprises. Because of the warm climate, the local economic environment, and the lack of effective technology transfer to this sparsely populated area, introduction of new technology such as new genetic strains of swine, utilization of local feedstuffs, and improved veterinary management is needed to improve swine production in this area of the country. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. No formal CRIS project plan was written for this project. Following is a list of activities taken from the project prospectus to be undertaken during this project: A physical facility will be developed and an effective breeding and production program will be implemented to provide a basis for conducting swine production research. Lines of swine will be selected to establish maternal and paternal lines that can perform under the environmental conditions in the Southern
United States. A production program will be developed to ensure appropriate levels of fertility and litter size. Nutritional diets for swine at all stages of the life cycle that lead to optimum feed efficiency and rate of growth at lowest cost, utilizing local feeds whenever possible, will be established. 3. Milestones: A. List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2004. How many milestones did you fully or substantially meet in FY 2004 and indicate which ones were not fully or substantially met, briefly explain why not, and your plans to do so. Because no formal milestones have been established for this project, the following indicates how the proposed activities were addressed in the last year. Repair and upgrading of the facilities is ongoing. A new scientist, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okere, who has expertise in swine artificial insemination, has been hired, and an artificial insemination program for swine in the area is being developed. The effect of lysine and chromium
supplementation on litter size, piglet birth weight, and growth rate of progeny was studied. Effects of Purslane supplementation with cholesterol on the performance of growing pigs was studied. B. List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, & 2007). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? Following are the planned activities for 2005: Completion of water well restoration. Determine seasonal and genotype variations in libido, semen production, and quality in boars at Church Hill. Determine the relationship between selected trace elements (Cu, Zn) in seminal plasma, blood serum, and boar semen quality. Determine the effect of Purslane on serum lipids and carcass characteristics. Further evaluate the effects of lysine and chromium supplementation on sow productivity. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A. Single most significant accomplishment during FY 2004:
Purslane is a southern weed that is relatively high in vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acids. Experiments indicated that the feeding of 8% Purslane decreased backfat and serum triglyceride in fed pigs, and that the addition of cholesterol to the diets had no effect. Thus, the feeding of purslane could result in pork with lower fat. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of this diet on other indicators of pork quality. B. Other significant accomplishment(s): None. C. Significant activities that support special target populations. Eleventh annual field day, May 15, 2004, activities include demonstrations on husbandry practices, AI techniques, and 4-H animal judging. Development of a new swine cooperative among swine producers within 50 miles of campus. D. Progress Report opportunity to submit additional programmatic information to your Area Office and NPS (optional for all in-house ('D') projects and the projects listed in Appendix A; mandatory for all other
subordinate projects). None 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Approximately 500 animals of improved genetic quality were sold to limited-resource farmers in Mississippi and Louisiana for use in their herds. An Animal Genetics Laboratory has been constructed, artificial insemination equipment and supplies purchased, boars have been trained for semen collection, and the first artificially inseminated litters have been born. Producer field days have been held from 1998 to present for area producers. Studies on the effects of the feeding of Purslane, a weed found in the southern states, to swine were begun. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? The release of
germplasm in the area surrounding Alcorn State that is described in the accomplishments represents a significant improvement in the genetic makeup of swine in the region. This will have an impact on the efficiency and profitability of swine production for farmers in the region. Through the field days, information was transferred to farmers in the region around Alcorn State on swine husbandry and artificial insemination practices. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. Ezekwe, M.O., Williams, R. 2003. Influence of lysine and chromium picolinate levels on gestating gilts and the progeny. ARD 13th Research Symposium, Atlanta, GA. March 29-April 2. Ezekwe, M.O., Nyoka, Q.E., Igbokwe, P.E., Besong, S.A. 2004. Dietary supplements of Purslane leaves lower serum cholesterol in growing pigs. FASEB Journal. v. 18. A867.
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